Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska do the double

Hurling Portlaoise Heritage Hotel U-14 'B' County Final

Coming into this final, Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska were overwhelming favourites, having gone unbeaten all year round, including the league.

They lived up to that status, as they easily defeated St Fintan’s Ballypickas to claim the U-16 'B' Hurling Championship last Friday night in O'Moore Park.

Clonad Park Ratheniska got off to the better start, with three points without reply, with those scores coming through the impressive Stephen Brennan. St Fintan’s Ballypickas fired right back with two scores of their own, one from Enda Mulhall, the other from Shane Bowe after some sloppy Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska play at the back.

The sides traded scores through Stephen Brennan for Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska and a free from Enda Mulhall. This was the closest St Fintan’s Ballypickas would get to Clonad Balliankill Park Ratheniska for the rest of the match. Scores before half time from PJ Daly (2) and one from Eoin Simms gave Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska a four point lead at the interval.

The second half kicked off where the first left off, with two scores off the bat for Clonad Ballinakill Park Ratheniska through Stephen Brennan and PJ Daly (free). St Fintan’s Ballypickas pulled one back through Shane Bowe, which was subsequently matched by a PJ Daly free.

The first goal of the game was scored by Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska's Dan Delaney, after goalkeeper James Mulhall spilled a shot, and the full forward was there to prod home. Shane Bowe pulled one back, but Clonad-Ballinakill-Park Ratheniska then turned it up a gear or two.

A point from Stephen Brennan and a Daly free put plenty of space between the sides, before Clonad Ballinakill Park Ratheniska effectively sealed the game with the second goal of the game.

Eoin Simms unleashed a powerful shot past the helpless grasps of James Mulhall. The substitutes then came rolling in as both sides knew their fate. Further scrores from Dylan Kavanagh, Conor Moran and two Daly frees gave Clonad Ballinakill Park Ratheniska a comfortable victory.

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